Oregon recruiting: Running backs

When ESPN 150 ATH Dontre Wilson (DeSoto, Texas/DeSoto) announced he would join fellow ESPN 150 member, RB Thomas Tyner (Aloha, Ore./Aloha) -- who committed in November of 2011 -- in the Oregon Ducks' recruiting class, it gave the Ducks a great start to their recruiting class.

Not much has changed since then as the Ducks still have the two elite running back prospects committed to help fill the void that will be left when Kenjon Barner heads to the NFL in 2013. Barner's absence will leave the Ducks with only sophomore-to-be Bryon Marshall and De'Anthony Thomas -- who is more natural in the slot -- as the Ducks' lone returning scholarship running backs. Despite having two elite backs on board in the Class of 2013, the Ducks are still pursuing a third option to help solidify the depth in their talented, but thin backfield.

After months of targeting fellow ESPN 150 members Derrick Green (Richmond, Va./Hermitage), Alvin Kamara (Norcross, Ga./Norcross) and Tarean Folston (Cocoa, Fla./Cocoa), the Ducks' recruiting picture has become a bit more clear. The Ducks recently dropped their pursuit of Green, the No. 5 RB in the country. The other name that has been a constant through the entire process is Terrell Newby II (West Hills, Calif./Chaminade), who was just named player of the year in one of Southern California's toughest and most talented leagues.